Meterologists: At least a foot of snow for North Central Mass.

FITCHBURG -- The most dangerous snowstorm of the year is expected to blanket the region Thursday, as officials urge residents to stay off the roads.

Area schools, colleges, businesses and municipal offices are closed on Thursday with meteorologists predicting 12 to 15 inches for Greater Fitchburg.

The peak snowfall rates will be from the late morning to late afternoon, according to the National Weather Service. They expect snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour at times. There will be reduced visibility and white-out conditions, officials warn.

The strongest winds will be from Thursday afternoon through the evening. Generally, winds will range from 25 to 35 mph.

Gov. Charlie Baker on Wednesday evening urged residents to consider working from home, if possible on Thursday, and to stay off the roads.

"We're asking folks to stay off the roads tomorrow and not travel unless absolutely necessary and to take public transportation whenever possible," Baker said at the Wednesday press conference.

Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack said both the T and the commuter rail were planning to run full schedules on Thursday, and transportation officials expect to deploy close to the full arsenal of 4,000 pieces of road equipment at the peak of the storm.

Information from the State House News Service was used in this report.

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